Language:
English
Year of publication:
2008
Titel der Quelle:
Harvard Theological Review
Angaben zur Quelle:
101,3-4 (2008) 465-505
Keywords:
Ḳalonimus Ḳalmish ben Elimelekh,
;
Jewish ghettos
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Jews
;
Holocaust (Jewish theology)
;
Hasidism Philosophy
Abstract:
In his extant ghetto writings and sermons of 1940-42, Rabbi Kalonimus Kalmish Shapira addressed the problem of ritual efficacy of radical suffering, i.e. suffering that exceeds all normal and meaningful bounds. Avoiding messianism, as expressed by some contemporary Jewish thinkers, and in the hasidic tradition, he proposed a psychodiscipline to his followers, which, in his thought, was able to preserve both humanity and cosmos alike. Two of the most important strategies were "suffering for the other", i.e. the concept that radical suffering implies a "lesson to God" for the sake of other humans, and the belief that God is "weeping in a secret place", that He is not indifferent to our suffering. Rabbi Shapira's strategies not only aimed to strengthen his followers and give meaning to their pain; he also insisted that the strategies acted theurgically to transform Divine judgment into mercy and had cosmic significance.
DOI:
10.1017/S001781600800196X
URL:
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